Tank car valve locking device



Jan. 17, 1933. w, PETERSQN 1,894,830

TANK CAR VALVE LOCKING DEVICE Filed March 2'7, 1929 yin /101111,

Patented Jan. 17, 1933 PATENT WALTER LEETERSON, OF INGLEW'OOD', CALIFORNIA TANK GAE VALVE LOCKING DEVICE Application filed March 27, 1929. Serial No. 350,202.

This invention relates to valve mechanisms, and more especially to a valve mechanism employed for optionally scaling or unsealing the outlet port of a tank car.

5 An object of the invention is the provision of a valve and operating mechanism there for, of such a nature that by their use, leakage from the outlet port, is eliminated, and yet the valve may be easily and expeditiously unseated when it is desired to open the outlet port.

A further object is the provision of a valve of the. general class described, which is of such rugged nature and which maybe pressed so firmly upon its seat that danger of possible leakage developing past the valve, is substantially eliminated, regardless of the heavy shocks to which the tank car is apt to be subjected during switching and transportation of the car, and even in the event that the car is wrecked, with a possible shearing of the outlet nozzle from the bottom of the tank.

Astill further object is the provision of a valve and operating mechanism as de scribed, whichis adapted to be manufactured witha minimum cost, and which is of such a nature that it may be substituted for the type of valve now conventionally employed, and still use a large number ofthe parts of that conventional valve, with a consequent elimination of thenecessity of discarding the entire conventional valve and operating mechanism.

The invention possesses other objects and advantageous features, some of which, with those enumerated. will be set forth in the fol lowing description of the inventionsparticular embodiment which is illustrated in the 40 drawing accompanying and forming apart of the specification.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a vow partially in side elevationand partially in vertical section, of the central portion of a tank car, and showing the improvedvalve and operating mechanism of the present invention. Portions of the figure are broken away to reduce its size.

Fig. 2- is an enlarged, vertical, medial sectional view of thevalve and the outlet nozzle of Fig. 1, portions being broken away to reduce the length of the figure.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the valve.

Fig. l is an enlarged perspective view of the valve cage.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the valve activating mechanism disposed within the dome of the tank car.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the locking plate.

The valve mechanism of the present invention, while being capable of general applicat1on to optionally seal or permit passage through aport in a wall of a tank, is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with the conventional tank car ordinarily employed for the transportation of such fluids as oils, gasoline, and the like. In View of the extremely hea-vy shocks to which such tank cars F are subjected during transportation and switching, and even in the event of a possible wreck, I have endeavored to provide a valve and activating mechanism therefor, by means of which the valve may be seated so firmly in port-closing position, that danger of leakage therepast is reduced to a minimum. The valve operating mechanism is disposed to be conveniently accessible, and is so arranged and connected to the valve, that seating and unseating of the valve may be eflected with the greatest facility.

Specifically describing the preferred embodiment of the valve mechanism of the present invention, it is herein shown and described as being mounted within a tank car 11. Tank cars are conventionally supplied with an outlet nozzle 12 rigid with the bottom 13 of the tank 11, and extending clownwards from an outlet port let therein. A reducer 16 is ordinarily threaded to the lower end of the nozzle 12, and a valve cap 17 is threaded to the lower end of the reducer 16,

this cap 17 being removable to permitcoupling any suitable type of conduit to the nozzle, to facilitate emptying the tank 11.

v The upper end of the nozzle 12, is provided witha valve seat 21 encircling the port 14 and, slightly therebelow, with a spider 22 having a central aperture 23 therein within I which an axial guide rod 24 is slidably disosed. A valve 26 to which the guide rod 24 is rigidly and preferably integrally joined, is associated with the valve seat 21, to prevent passage of fluid through the port 14 when the valve 26 is engaged upon the seat 21.

The valve 26 is provided with a head 27 extending upwards therefrom, and preferably a. pair of opposed prongs 28 extend laterally outwards from the head 27. Furthermore, a non-circular aperture 29 is formed in the top of the head 27, for the reception of the com plementarily-sha-ped end 31 of a valve operating rod 32. A bolt 33 is passed through opposed holes 34 in the sides of the head 27, and through a similar hole 36 in the end 31 of the rod 32, to securely fasten the rod 32 to the valve 26. In order to add to their strength, the prongs 28 are provided with webs 37 joining the prongs to the ends of the head 27.

A valve locking cage indicated in its entiret at 41, is rigidly attached to the bottom 13 o the tank 11, in concentric alignment with the valve seat 21. The cage 41 may conveniently be mounted in position by passing the same rivets 42 through the feet 43 of the cage 41, through the bottom 13 of the tank, and through the top flange 44 of the nozzle 12; with the result that the same rivets 42 serve to hold both the cage 41 and nozzle 12 in position. Preferably this cage is formed of two parts, a sleeve portion 46, and a base 47 to which the sleeve portion 46 is threadedly attached, threads 48 being formed upon the lower end of the sleeve 46, to permit such engagement. A pin 49 is threaded through the use 47, to be engaged within one of a plurality of holes 51 in the sleeve 46, to lock the sleeve to the base in selected position. The sleeve 46 is provided with slots 52 corresponding in number to the prongs 28 of the valve 26. Each slot 52 comprises a sloping portion 53 and a vertical portion 54, extending upwards from the upper end of the associated sloping portion to the upper edge of the sleeve 46. The prongs 28 are slidable within the slots 52, establishing a bayonet joint between the cage 41 and the valve A bracket 56 is secured to the cage 41 by cap screws 57 or their equivalent, and comprises a horizontal portion 58 having an aperture 59 disposed centrally thereof for the guidance of the rod 32. Preferably the aperture 59 is rovided with extensions 61 thereof, through which the non-circular portion 31 may pass to facilitate assemblage of the activatlng mechanism.

The rod 32 is guided at its upper end in a bracket 66, which is made fast adjacent the top of the tank 11, preferably inside the dome 67 thereof. An operating lever 68 is fulcrumed as by a pin 69 intermediate its ends, to the rod 32 adjacent the upper end thereof and above the bracket 66. One end 71 of the lever 68, is preferably bent downwards, and is provided with a handle 72; whereas the other end 73, which is bifurcated for the reception between the two parts thereof, of the upper end of the rod 32, bears against the upper surface of the bracket 66, so that when the lever 68 is pivoted about the pin fulcrum 69, by raising the handle 72, the ends of the bifurcated portion 73 of the lever 68, will press and slide upon the bracket 66, raising the rod 32. A coil spring 76 encircles the rod 32 and is under compression between the under side of the bracket 66 and a washer 77 which is adjustably secured to the rod 32 by a cotter pin 78 or its equivalent. A plurality of holes 79 in the rod 32, permit positioning the pin 78 and washer 77, to secure the desired compression of the spring 76 urging the rod 32 downwards. The lever 68 may be locked in either raised or lowered position by passing a tapered pin 81 through the proper apertures 82 in the bifurcated end 73 of the lever, and through a similar aperture in the rod 32 spaced from the aperture through which the pin 69 passes. The pin 81 is attached to the bracket 66 as by a chain 83.

Means are provided for locking the rod 32 and valve 26 against inadvertent rotational movement. A plate 86 is secured to the under side of the bracket 66, by welding or by bolts or rivets, holes 87 being provided in the event that the latter method of attachment is employed. Another hole 88 is provided for the reception of the rod 32. The outer end of the plate 86 is rounded as at 89, this rounded portion having a shoulder 91 at one end thereof, and a notch 92 at the other end, within which a portion of the lever 68 may be disposed. The parts are so proportioned and arranged, that when this portion of the lever 68 is disposed within the notch 92, one set of apertures 82 in the bifurcated end 73 of the lever, is in register with the locking hole in the rod 32, with the result that when the pin 81 is disposed in these apertures, the lever 68 can not be removed from the notch 92.

The manner of operation of the valve and activating mechanism of the present invention, is substantially as follows:

Let it be assumed that the valve mechanism is locked in valve seating position, and that it be desired to empty the tank 11 of its contents, through the outlet port 14. First of all, the cap 17 should be removed from the nozzle 12, and a. suitable conduit attached thereto either by means of the reducer 16 or without it, depending upon the size of the conduit in respect to the nozzle 12. When the conduit has been so attached, the device is in readiness to have the valve 26 raised from its seat, to permit the liquid to flow through the port 14. This is accomplished by first removing the pin 81 from the locking apertures 82in the bifurcated portion 73 of the lever 68, and then pulling outwards upon the handle 72, to move the lever sufliciently to disengage it from the notch 92. It will be found however, that this will efi'ect very little, if any, raising of the rod 32. The lever 68 should then be manipulated to impart rotational movement to the rod 32, until the lever engages the shoulder 91 of the plate 86. This will effect similar rotational movement of the valve 26, because of the engagement of the rod 32 therewith by means of the non-circular portion 31 seating within the complementary aperture 29. Consequently, the prongs 28 will be moved in the inclined portions 53 of the slot 52, toward the vertical portions 5a with which they will come into register when the lever 68 engages the stop 91, it being understood that the sleeve 46 has been properly adjusted within, and locked to the base 47, by the pin 19, to dispose the slots 52 in proper position in respect to the stop 91. Inasmuch as the prongs 28 are now in register with the vertical portions 54 of the slots 52, the lever 68 may now be pivoted forwards about its fulcrum pin 69, cansing the rounded ends of the bifurcated portion 73 of the lever 68, to bear against the upper surface of the bracket 66, with a consequent raising of the rod 32 and valve 26 against the action of the spring 76. Obviously, this will lift the valve 26 from its seat and permit the fluid with which the tank 11 is filled, to flow through the port 14 and nozzle 12, into the conduit attached thereto. The lever 68 may be locked in valveraising position, by passing the locking pin 81 through the other set of apertures 82 and through the locking aperture in the rod 32,

it being understood that this other set of apertures is so disposed that they come into register with the locking aperture in the rod when the lever 68 has been moved to fully raised position.

When it is desired to again set the valve 26 to close the port 1 1, the operation should be reversed. First, the locking pin 81 should be removed, and then the lever 68 pivoted downwards about the fulcrum pin 69. This will position the prongs 28 at the lower ends of the vertical portions 54 of the slots 52, whereupon the lever 68, rod 32, and valve 26, may be turned in a reverse direction, causing the prongs 28 to enter the inclined portions 53 of the slots 52, the upper edges of which provide a purchase in pressing the valve 26 very tightly upon its seat 21. The lever 68 should then be pressed still further downwards, causing it to enter the notch 92, whereupon the locking pin 81 should be passed through the locking apertures 82 to prevent inadvertent displacement of the lever 68 from the notch 92.

Owing to the relatively small angle of inclination of the inclined portion 53 of each of the slots 52 with respect to the plane ofthe valve seat 21, which in the preferred form is in the neighborhood of only ten or twelve degrees, a relatively great mechanical advantage is developed whereby the valve 26 is wedged with great force against its seat 21, precluding all possibility of leakage and danger of jarring the valve loose from its seat by vibration of the tank car and/or shocks imparted thereto during switching and the like. The combined action of the prongs 28 within the inclined portions 53 of the slots and the spring 76 in pressing the valve 26 downwards upon its seat 21, will be found to press the valve 26 so tightly upon its seat that all dangerof leakage of the valve, developing, is obviated. It should be pointed out that the problem of establishing a sufficiently tight seal for the outlet port 1 1- of tank cars, is one presenting considerable diflicultybecause of the severe shocks to which tanks of this nature are subjected. WVhen switching tank cars, frequently the shocks imparted thereto, are so severe that the entire tank 11 is set into vibration; with the result that unless the valve is pressed with exceeding firmness onto its seat by means of some structure which is attached to the bottom of the tank closely adjacent the seat, the valve will be sprung loose from its seat, permitting the escape of at least some of the contents of the tank. This leakage is objectionable not only from the standpoint of wastage, but also because of the fact that it permits quantities of crude oil, gasoline and the like, to drip upon the road bed; and in the event that the car is disposed over city streets, this dripping is especially objectionable. By employing the valve and activating mechanism therefor as hereinabove described, this leakage is eliminated.

It is to be understood that the details of the invention as herein disclosed, are subject to alteration within the spirit or scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A tank valve mechanism comprising a valve seat encircling a port in a wall of a tank, a valve associated therewith and having prongs extending therefrom, a cage having inclined slots therein for the slidable r-eception of said prongs, means for adjusting said cage to vary the position of its slots in respect to said seat, and means for turning said valve.

2. A tank valve mechanism comprising a valve seat encircling a port in a wall of a tank, a. valve associated therewith and having prongs extending therefrom, a cage having inclined slots therein for the slidable reception of said prongs, means for turning said valve, and releasable means for locking said valve optionally in seated or unseated position.

3. A tank valve mechanism comprisi a n a o b valve seat encircling a port in a wall of a tank, a valve associatedtherewith and havsaid seat.

ing prongs extending therefrom, a cage having inclined slots therein for the slidable reception of said prongs, means for turning said valve and for moving the valve option ally towards or away from its seat, and releasable means for locking said valve at one extreme of its turning movement and in either seated or unseated position.

4. A tank car valve mechanism comprising a valve seat encircling a port in the bottom of a tank car, a valve cage rigid with said bottom and having inclined slots therein communicating at their upper ends with the upper edge of said cage, a valve associated with said seat, prongs rigid with said valve and slidably disposed within said slots, and means operable from the dome of said tank car for turning said valve within said cage.

5. A tank car valve mechanism comprising a valve seat encircling a port in the bottom of a tank car, a valve cage rigid with said bottom and having inclined slots therein communicating at their upper ends with the upper edge or" said cage, a valve associated with said seat, prongs rigid with said valve and slidably disposed within said slots, and means operable from the dome of said tank car for turning said valve within said cage and for raising said valve from its seat after the prongs have been moved to the upper ends of said inclined slots.

6. A tank car valve mechanism com rising a valve seat encircling a port in the ottom of a tank car, a valve cage rigid with said bottom and having inclined slots therein communicating at their upper ends with the upper edge of said cage, a valve associated with said seat, prongs rigid with said valve and slidably disposed within said slots, means operable from the dome of said tank car for turning said valve within said cage and for raising said valve from its seat after the ron' s have been moved to the upper ends of said inclined slots, and spring means urging said valve into seating position.

7. A tank car valve mechanism comprising a valve seat encircling a port in the bottom of a tank car, a valve cage rigid with said bottom and having inclined slots therein communicating at their upper ends with the upper edge of said cage, a valve associated with said seat, prongs rigid with said valve and slidably disposed within said slots, means operable from the dome of said tank car for turning said valve within said cage, and releasable means for locking said valve in selected position,

8. A tank car valve mechanism comprising a valve seat encircling a port in the bottom of a tank car, a valve cage rigid with said bottom and having inclined slots therein communicating at their upper ends with the upper edge of said cage, a valve associated with rongs rigid with said valve and slidably disposed within said slots, means operable from the dome of said tank car for turning said valve within said cage and for raising said valve from its seat after the prongs have been moved to the upper ends of said inclined slots, and releasable means for locking said valve in selected position.

9. A tank car valve mechanism comprising a valve seat encircling a port in the bottom of a tank car, a valve cage rigid with said bottom and having inclined slots therein communicating at their upper ends with the upper edge of said on e, a valve associated with said seat, prongs rigid with said valve and slidably disposed within said slots, a bracket rigidly mounted inside the dome of said tank car, a rod secured to said valve and mounted in said bracket for rotary and axial movement, and a lever tulcrumed to said rod for rotary movement therewith, one end of said lever having a handle and the other end engaging the top the bracket to lift the rod and valve when the handle is raised.

10. A tank car valve mechanism comprising a valve seat encircling a port in the bottom of a tank car, a valve cage rigid with said bottom and having inclined slots therein communicating at their upper ends with the upper of said cage, a valve associated with seat, prongs rigid with said valve and sh )lv disposed within said slots, a bracket r gid 1 mounted inside the dome of said tank a rod secured to said valve and mounted in said bracket for rotary and axial movement, a lever tulcrumed to said rod for rotary movement therewith, one end of said lever having a handle and the other end engaging the top of the bracket to lift the rod and valve when the handle is raised, and releasable means for locking said lever in selected position.

11. A tank car valve mechanism comprising a valve seat encircling a port in the bottom of a tank car, a valve cage rigid with said bottom and having inclined slots therein communicating at their upper ends with the upper edge of said cage, a valve associated with said seat, prongs rigid with said valve and slidably disposed within said lots, a bracket rigidly mounted inside the dome of said tank car, a rod secured to said valveandmountedin said bracket for rotary and axial movement, a lever fulcrumed to said rod for rotary movement therewith, one end of said lever ha ing a handle and the other end engaging the top of the bracket to lift the rod and valve when the handle is raised, and releasable means for locking said lever against rotary movement about the axis of the rod.

12. A tank car valve mechanism comprising a valve seat encircling a port in the bottom of a tank car, a valve cage rigid with said bottom and having inclined slots therein communicating at their upper ends with the upper edge of said cage, a valve associated with said seat, prongs rigid with said valve and slidably disposed within said slots, a bracket rigidly mounted inside the dome of said tank car, a rod secured to said valve and mounted in said bracket for rotary and axial movement, a lever fulcrumed to said rod for rotary movement therewith, one end of said lever having a handle and the other end engaging the top of the bracket to lift the rod and valve when the handle is raised, releasable means for locking said lever against rotary move ment about the axis of the rod, and releasable means for locking said lever against movement against its fulcrum.

18. A tank car valve mechanism comprising a valve seat encircling a port in the bottom of a tank car, a valve cage rigid with said bottom and having inclined slots therein communicating at their upper ends with the upper edge of said cage, a valve associated with said seat, prongs rigid with said valve and slidably disposed within said slots, a bracket rigidly mounted inside the dome of said tank car, a rod secured to said valve and mounted in said bracket for rotary and axial movement, a spring interposed between said rod and bracket urging said rod downwards to press the valve onto its seat, a lever fulcrumed to said rod for rotary movement therewith, one end of said lever having a handle and the other end engaging the top of the bracket to lift the rod and valve when the handle is raised against the action of said spring, and releasable means for locking said lever in selected position.

14. In combination with a valve adapted to be operated by rotary and axial movement, a bracket, a rod secured to said valve and mounted in said bracket for rotary and axial movement, a lever fulcrumed intermediate its ends to said rod for rotary movement therewith about the axis of the rod, one end of said lever having a handle and the other engaging the bracket to move the rod axially when the lever is moved about its fulcrum, the handle end of said lever being deflected and removably receivable within a notch in said bracket to fasten the lever in selected position.

15. In combination with a valve adapted to be operated by rotary and axial movement, a bracket, a rod secured to said valve and mounted in said bracket for rotary and axial movement, a lever fulcrumed intermediate its ends to said rod for rotary movement therewith about the axis of the rod, one end of said lever having a handle and the other engaging the bracket to move the rod axially when the lever is moved about its fulcrum, releasable means for locking said lever to the rod against movement about said fulcrum, and a locking plate rigid with said bracket and having a notch therein adapted to engage said lever and hold the rod against rotary movement when the lever is at one extreme of its movement about said fulcrum.

16. A tank valve mechanism comprising a valve seat encircling a port in a wall of a tank, a valve associated therewith and having a prong extending therefrom, and a cage having a slot therein for the slidable reception of said prong, said slot including a portion parallel to the bore of said port and a portion inclined only slightly with respect to the plane of said valve seat.

17. A tank valve mechanism comprising a valve seat encircling a port in a wall of a tank, a valve associated therewith and having prongs extending therefrom, a cage having slots therein for the slidable reception of said prongs, each slot having a portion parallel to the bore of said port and a portion inclined only slightly with respect to the plane of said valve seat, and means for turning said valve for moving the valve optionally toward or away from its seat.

18. A tank valve mechanism comprising a valve seat encircling a port in a wall of a tank, a valve associated therewith and having prongs extending therefrom, means for slidably retaining said valve in concentic alinement with its seat, a cage having slots therein for the slidable reception of said prongs, each slot including a portion parallel to the bore of said port and a portion inclined only slightly with respect to the plane of said valve seat, and means for turning said valve and for moving the valve axially of said port.

19. A tank valve mechanism comprising a valve seat encircling a port in the bottom of a tank, a valve associated therewith and having prongs extending therefrom, a cage having slots therein for the slidable reception of said prongs, each of said slots including a portion parallel to the bore of said port and a portion inclined only slightly with respect to the plane of said valve seat, and means accessible from the top of the tank for turning said valve and for lifting the valve from its seat.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

WALTER E. PETERSON. 

